The Ultimate Indoor Allergies Quiz

Your warm and comfy home is inviting to thousands of unwanted guests, such as dust mites, mold spores and chemical irritants. These unwanted guests can greatly exacerbate your allergy symptoms. Take this quiz to learn about indoor allergens and how to prevent these unwanted guests from taking over your home.

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Question 1 of 20

What a percentage of American beds have high enough dust mite counts to trigger allergy symptoms?

15 percent

25 percent

45 percent

Almost haft of the American population have beds with enough dust mite allergens to trigger allergy symptoms. A quarter of the American population has very high dust mite counts, enough to trigger the onset of asthma.

Question 2 of 20

What should you do to prevent dust mite buildup in your bed?

Wash your sheets often.

Cover your mattress with a mite-proof cover.

both of the above

Wash your sheets in 130 degree Fahrenheit water to kill dust mites. You may also want to cover you mattress with a mite-proof cover. Taking these precautions is important considering we spend a good portion of a 24-hour day in bed.

Question 3 of 20

What other things in your bedroom may exacerbate to your allergy symptoms?

your clothes

your carpet

both of the above

Dry-cleaned clothes emit unhealthy gases and your carpet likely emits chemicals that were used to produce it. Both of these toxins can exacerbate your allergy symptoms.

Question 4 of 20

What useful household appliance may be contributing to your allergy symptoms?

lamp

humidifier

It is essential to properly and regularly clean your humidifier. If left unclean, a humidifier is a hotbed for mold, mildew and cockroaches.

heater

Question 5 of 20

What harmful gas is generally found in higher quantities in your basement?

radon

carbon monoxide

both of the above

Exposure to high quantities of radon, which is a natural radioactive gas typically found in dwellings closer to the ground, has been linked to lung cancer. Carbon monoxide may also be present in your basement from poorly functioning heating systems.

Question 6 of 20

How do cockroaches exacerbate allergy symptoms?

Cockroach droppings trigger asthma and allergies.

There is a protein in cockroach droppings that can trigger asthma and allergies. This is especially a problem for young children living in urban areas.

Cockroach urine triggers asthma and allergies.

Cockroach pheromones trigger asthma and allergies.

Question 7 of 20

How do you keep cockroaches from becoming unwanted guests in your home?

Keep your house free of food smells and crumbs.

Keep your house dry.

both of the above

Make sure to clean up after every meal, including sweeping away crumbs, vacuuming, and washing dishes immediately. Also store all open food products in airtight containers. You should also keep your house dry by fixing any leaky faucets.

Question 8 of 20

How many dust mites would you find in a typical bed mattress?

500 to 1,000 dust mites

1,000 to 10,000 dust mites

10,000 to 100,000 dust mites

Yikes! There are from 10,000 to 100,000 dust mites in an average mattress. In every half a teaspoon of dust, expect to find 500 dust mites.

Question 9 of 20

To decrease dust mites in your home, you should:

Keep your windows closed.

Regularly air out your home.

Dust mites love warmth and humidity. For this reason it is important to frequently air out your home and use a dehumidifier to prevent the spread of dust mites.

Use a humidifier.

Question 10 of 20

How often should you clean your bedroom to decrease allergies related to dust mites?

once a day

If you have carpet in your bedroom, vacuum it once a day to decrease dust mites. Also dust furniture once daily.

twice a week

once a week

Question 11 of 20

What natural product kills dust mites?

olive oil

lemon water

eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is a great way to kill dust mites without using harsh cleaning products. Simply combine five drops of eucalyptus oil to two cups of distilled water and spray it on your bedding daily.

Question 12 of 20

What should you add to your room to decrease the occurrence of dust mites?

lamps

plants

Plants can help regulate humidity levels in your bedroom. So, consider adding a few plants to your bedroom decor.

drapes

Question 13 of 20

What type of bed does not house high quantities of dust mites?

a natural latex mattress

an air mattress

both of the above

Natural latex mattresses are very expensive, but worth the cost if you want to fight off dust mites in your bed. Consider purchasing an air mattress, which also does not house dust mites, as an inexpensive alternative.

Question 14 of 20

Where are you likely to find indoor mold?

inside air conditioners, garbage containers and refrigerators

in attics, basements and garages

both of the above

Indoor mold spores grow in damp and dark places such as inside your air conditioner, garbage container and refrigerator; and in attics, basements and garages.

Question 15 of 20

How do you reduce indoor mold?

Dust frequently.

Clean with bleach.

both of the above

Mold spores can become part of dust, so its important to dust your home frequently. Also, clean your home with a antimold product or simply with water and bleach.

Question 16 of 20

Mold is more likely to grow in below-ground rooms in your home, such as your basement. What is recommended for these rooms to prevent mold growth?

Keep these rooms well lit.

Use a mold-inhibiting paint.

both of the above

Mold needs darkness to grow, so keep damp rooms well lit. Also consider using a mold-inhibiting paint when painting your below ground rooms.

Question 17 of 20

What percentage humidity should your home be maintained at to reduce mold growth?